Visit My Roots
Sign inStart planning — free

Heritage destination · IO

Plan a roots trip to British Indian Ocean Territory

Remote atoll heritage: colonial history, naval ties, Indian Ocean exploration.

← All countries

The British Indian Ocean Territory is an archipelago in the central Indian Ocean, comprising the Chagos Islands and several other atolls. The territory has a small, primarily transient population centred on Diego Garcia, a strategic military and communications hub. Most family connections to BIOT are through military service, colonial administration, or the displaced Chagossian community whose ancestors were relocated in the 1960s–70s. Visitors planning roots research should understand that BIOT has no tourism infrastructure and access to Diego Garcia is restricted. Genealogical records relating to BIOT residents, deportees, and their descendants are held mainly in UK archives and Mauritian repositories. Heritage interest typically focuses on tracing military family lines, colonial administrators, or Chagossian ancestry rather than on-site visits.

BIOT's colonial history, including the forced removal of the Chagossian population, remains politically sensitive; approach family stories and records with respect for displacement narratives.

Genealogy highlights

  • UK National Archives hold Colonial Office records and passenger lists for BIOT movement and deportation (1960s–70s)
  • Mauritius National Archives maintain civil and ship records for Chagossian and earlier Indian Ocean populations
  • Military service records (UK Ministry of Defence) for personnel stationed at Diego Garcia
  • Shipping registers and crew lists from 19th–20th century Indian Ocean trade routes
  • Chagossian diaspora records held by community organisations and advocacy groups in UK and Mauritius

Record types to know

  • Colonial Office correspondence and registers
  • Military personnel records
  • Passenger and deportation lists
  • Shipping registers and crew records
  • Mauritian civil registration (for linked populations)
  • Maps and survey documents

Emigration patterns

The Chagossian people were forcibly displaced between 1964 and 1973 to make way for military installations, with most resettled in Mauritius and the Seychelles. Some migrated onward to the United Kingdom, France, and other countries. Tracking Chagossian ancestry requires cross-referencing Mauritian records, UK immigration files, and diaspora community records.

Heritage trip tips

  • Access to Diego Garcia is restricted; plan research visits to UK and Mauritius archives instead
  • Consult the Mauritius National Archives and the British Library for colonial period documents and maps
  • Connect with Chagossian heritage organisations in London and Port Louis for oral history and community resources
  • Seasonal weather in the Indian Ocean is tropical; if visiting Mauritius as a base, plan around cyclone season (November–May)
  • Learn basic French; Mauritius is bilingual (English and French Creole) and helpful for regional context

Practical notes

  • BIOT has no civilian tourism or accommodation; genealogy research must be conducted via archive visits to UK and Mauritius
  • Verify current entry requirements and any travel restrictions before planning; the territory's status and access rules may change
  • Language: English is official; French and Creole are useful in Mauritius for contextual research
  • Budget time for UK National Archives (Kew) and Mauritius National Archives; both hold essential records
  • Consider consulting specialist researchers or community historians familiar with Chagossian family records

Next steps